'Kannappa' Set to Surpass ₹20 Crore Mark in Opening Weekend After Strong Debut

Vishnu Manchu's ambitious project, 'Kannappa,' made its debut on the silver screen Friday and has garnered positive momentum at the box office through its second day.

Vishnu Manchu as Kannappa.

According to Sacnilk, the film's opening day collection was approximately ₹9.35 crore. While there was a dip to ₹7 crore on Saturday, the total domestic earnings have reached an estimated ₹16.35 crore.

Despite the slight drop, 'Kannappa' has maintained a strong audience presence across various regions. This mythological action-drama also features cameo appearances by notable actors such as Prabhas, Akshay Kumar, Kajal Aggarwal, and Mohanlal. The movie is performing particularly well in Telugu-speaking areas, reporting an impressive 44.42% occupancy rate on Saturday. Morning shows began with a respectable 27% occupancy, which surged to 58.54% by night.

In Tamil Nadu, 'Kannappa' achieved an overall occupancy of 19.84%, with peaks during the afternoon (23.41%) and night (27.68%) screenings. Although the film lacks a direct Tamil connection, its star-studded cast and universally appealing storyline have successfully attracted viewers.

The Hindi version recorded a 17.37% occupancy, with numbers showing improvement during the evening and night showings.

Night shows nearly reached 29%, indicating potential for further growth, especially during the weekend. However, the Malayalam version experienced a more moderate reception, with a 5.81% occupancy rate and slight increases during the night.

Directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh, 'Kannappa' delves into the mythological tale of Kannappa, a tribal hunter who becomes a revered devotee of Lord Shiva. The narrative follows Thinnadu's unique worship of Lord Shiva, culminating in the iconic act of sacrificing his eyes to stop the bleeding of the Shiva Lingam, symbolizing ultimate devotion and surrender.

Vishnu Manchu stars in the titular role, supported by a stellar ensemble cast including Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Madhoo, Preity Mukhundhan, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmaji, and Brahmanandam.

Vishnu Manchu's performance has been lauded for its emotional intensity, particularly in the second half, while Prabhas's cameo as Rudra is considered a highlight that enhances the film with his serene and wise presence.

The movie was filmed extensively in New Zealand, with music composed by Stephen Devassy and cinematography by Sheldon Chau.

The pan-Indian film was released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, and Malayalam, with a runtime of approximately 3 hours and three minutes.

On the day of the release, Vishnu Manchu shared on social media, "This moment… I've waited for it my entire life. Hearing the overwhelming love pouring in from overseas premieres and early morning shows in India fills my heart with gratitude. #Kannappa is no longer just my film—it’s yours now. #HarHarMahadev"

Following the film's successful release, Vishnu Manchu has hinted at the possibility of a 'Kannappa' prequel. At a press event, he mentioned that a prominent young director had suggested exploring the early life of Thinnadu before he became the devout Kannappa. Although initially conceived as a standalone film, Vishnu expressed interest in the prequel concept, particularly focusing on Thinnadu's atheist phase. He initially dismissed the idea but did not completely rule it out.